JP7533233B2 - Printing device and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device and a control method.

There is a technology for a printing device to print status information of the printing device. Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that, if it is determined that communication with an information processing device is possible, performs printing processing using data received from the information processing device, and, if it is determined that communication with the information processing device is not possible, performs printing processing using data generated by a generating means that generates data for printing the status or settings of the printing device.

JP 2013-22879 A

In Patent Document 1, when the types of printable status information increase, the following problems arise. That is, in cases where a user wishes to view only some of the status information, if all types of status information are printed, the user has to wait a period of time for printing unnecessary information. There is also the problem that the printing medium used to print unnecessary information is wasted.

A printing device for solving the above problem includes a printing unit that prints on printing medium pulled out from a roll of printing medium, and a printing control unit that causes the printing unit to print the status information in response to an instruction to print status information, wherein the printing control unit causes the printing unit to print first status information among the status information, causes the printing unit to print at least one selection item corresponding to each of the status information that is a candidate for printing, and, when a selection of at least one of the printed selection items is detected, causes the printing unit to print second status information corresponding to the selected selection item.
A control method for solving the above problem is a control method for a printing device that includes a printing unit that prints on printing medium pulled out from a roll of printing medium, and a printing control unit that causes the printing unit to print status information in response to an instruction to print status information, wherein the printing control unit causes the printing unit to print first status information among the status information, causes the printing unit to print at least one selection item corresponding to each of the status information that is a candidate for printing, and when it detects selection of at least one of the printed selection items, causes the printing unit to print second status information corresponding to the selected selection item.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a printing device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print medium on which status information is printed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print medium on which status information is printed. 10 is a flowchart showing a printing process of status information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print medium on which status information is printed.

Here, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Printing device configuration:
(2) Status information printing process:
(3) Other embodiments:

(1) Printing device configuration:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing device 1 according to this embodiment. The printing device 1 is a printing device in which a rolled medium is installed and which prints information on a printing medium (e.g., paper, film, etc.) pulled out from the roll medium. In this embodiment, the printing device 1 is a small printer such as a receipt printer. In this embodiment, the printing device 1 prints status information in response to an instruction to print status information. The status information of the printing device 1 is information that indicates the state of the printing device 1. Note that the roll medium includes roll paper as an example, and the printing medium includes recording paper and thermal paper as examples.

In this embodiment, the status information includes intelligent function information, which is information about an intelligent function. The intelligent function is a function that connects and cooperates with external terminals, peripheral devices, etc., and is, for example, a Web server function. The intelligent function information is, for example, information on whether or not it can be used as a Web server. The status information also includes network diagnostic information. The network diagnostic information is diagnostic information on the communication state between the printing device 1 and a predefined external device (for example, a host computer that requests the printing device 1 to print information). For example, the network diagnostic information is information on whether or not it is possible to connect to a predefined external device, information on the cause when it is not possible to connect to a predefined external device, and the like, for example, the presence or absence of a predefined SSID, confirmation information on a security method, and the like. The status information also includes simple AP function information. The simple AP function is a function in which the printing device 1 becomes an access point, and an external terminal connects directly to the printing device 1 wirelessly without going through a router. The simple AP function information is, for example, an IP address of the printing device 1, a two-dimensional code used to connect to the printing device 1, and the like. The status information also includes setting values referenced in various processes in the printing device 1, and values indicating the hardware status of the printing device 1. The former are, for example, parameters referenced in network connection processes, and parameters such as print speed and print density referenced in print processes. The latter are, for example, values such as the remaining amount of consumables and the time elapsed since the start of use of the printing device 1, etc.
The printing device 1 comprises a printing unit 10 that performs printing, a printing control unit 20 that controls the printing unit 10 and controls printing, an operation switch 31 and a rear switch 32 that are used to input information, and a communication I/F 40 that is used to communicate with external devices.

The printing unit 10 includes a medium transport device 11 that pulls out the print medium from the roll medium and transports it, and a print head 12 that prints on the print medium pulled out from the roll medium. The medium transport device 11 includes a roller 111 that contacts the print medium and transmits the transport force, and a transport motor 112 that drives the roller 111 via a transmission mechanism. The print head 12 includes a heating element 121 (printing element) that heats the print medium and causes the print medium to develop color. The print head 12 is, for example, a line thermal head in which multiple heating elements 121 are arranged in a straight line (one dot line). The print head 12 applies a voltage to the heating element 121 to generate heat, heats the part of the roll paper that contacts the heating element 121, and causes it to develop color to form a print image. The printing unit 10 may also include a cutter device. The cutter device has, for example, a first blade that is a movable blade and a second blade that is a fixed blade, and the first blade moves toward the second blade to cut the print medium. The printing unit 10 is equipped with a cutter device, which allows the printed print medium to be cut off from the continuous print medium at any desired length.

The print control unit 20 controls the overall operation of each component and device of the printing device 1, such as the print head 12 and the medium transport device 11. The print control unit 20 includes a first control unit 21, a second control unit 22, a memory unit 23, a transport control unit 24, a motor drive unit 25, a print head drive unit 26, and a print buffer 27. Thus, in this embodiment, the print control unit 20 is a two-core control unit having two control units, the first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22.

The first control unit 21 includes a CPU and controls printing using the printing unit 10. The first control unit 21 controls the driving of the medium transport device 11 via the transport control unit 24 and the motor drive unit 25 to transport the print medium pulled out from the roll medium. The first control unit 21 also controls the driving of the print head 12 via the print head drive unit 26 to form print dots on the print medium transported by the medium transport device 11 and form a print image on the print medium. The first control unit 21 also connects to the operation switch 31 and the back switch 32, and detects operations on the operation switch 31 and the back switch 32. The operation switch 31 is a switch that functions as an input receiving unit for the printing device 1, and in this embodiment, it is a feed button used to instruct the transport of the print medium. In this embodiment, since the operation switch 31 is a button, input to the operation switch 31 is performed by pressing it. The operation switch 31 is installed on either the front, top, or side of the six-sided view of the printing device 1 so that the user can easily see and touch it. The rear switch 32 is a switch used to instruct printing of status information, and is installed on the rear surface of the printing device 1 in the six-sided view. In this embodiment, the first control unit 21 is not directly connected to the communication I/F 40.

The second control unit 22 includes a CPU and generates print data of status information in response to an instruction from the first control unit 21. In this embodiment, the second control unit 22 controls communication with an external device via a network to realize an intelligent function. In this embodiment, the second control unit 22 is connected to a communication I/F 40 and communicates with the external device via the network via the communication I/F 40. The first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22 are connected to be able to communicate with each other.
The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores various types of status information and the like.

The transport control unit 24 controls the operation of the medium transport device 11 via the motor driving unit 25 in accordance with instructions from the first control unit 21. The motor driving unit 25 drives the transport motor 112 to transport the print medium in accordance with instructions from the transport control unit 24.
The print head driving unit 26 applies a voltage to the heating elements 121 of the print head 12 in accordance with instructions from the first control unit 21 to drive the print head 12 .
The print buffer 27 is a storage device such as a RAM that stores print data to be printed by the print head 12 .

Next, the functions realized by the first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22 and the printing process of the status information realized by these functions will be described in detail.
In this embodiment, the CPU of the first control unit 21 loads a program stored in a connected ROM into a connected RAM and executes it, thereby realizing the functions of the instruction receiving unit 211, the print processing unit 212, and the selection receiving unit 213. The ROM and RAM used by the CPU of the first control unit 21 may be included in the first control unit 21 or may be outside the first control unit 21. The CPU of the second control unit 22 loads a program stored in a connected ROM into the connected RAM and executes it, thereby realizing the function of the print data creation unit 221. The ROM and RAM used by the CPU of the second control unit 22 may be included in the first control unit 21 or may be outside the first control unit 21.

The instruction receiving unit 211 has a function of detecting a predetermined operation of the rear switch 32 and receiving an instruction to print the status information.
The first control unit 21 detects a predetermined operation on the rear switch 32 as an operation instructing printing of status information by the function of the instruction receiving unit 211. Hereinafter, this predetermined operation is referred to as a print instruction operation. In this embodiment, the print instruction operation is a pressing of the rear switch 32 in a manner that continues for a period of time equal to or longer than a predetermined period (e.g., 3 seconds, 5 seconds, etc.), but may be an operation in another manner. For example, the print instruction operation may be a pressing of the rear switch 32 multiple times in succession. For example, the print instruction operation may be a pressing of the rear switch 32 a predetermined number of times in succession at intervals less than a predetermined interval (e.g., 1 second, 0.8 seconds, etc.). In this case, one pressing may be a pressing that continues for a period of time less than a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second, 0.8 seconds, etc.).

The print processing unit 212 is a function that controls the printing unit 10 in a comprehensive manner so as to print the status information when a print instruction for the status information is received by the function of the instruction receiving unit 211. The print data creating unit 221 is a function that creates print data for the status information in response to a transmission request for the print data for the status information and transmits the print data to the request source.
When a print instruction for status information is accepted by the function of the print processing unit 212, the first control unit 21 transmits a request to send print data of the default status information to the second control unit 22. In this embodiment, this default status information is network status information. This default status information is an example of first status information. The network status information is information indicating setting values for connecting to a default device connected via the communication I/F 40. The network status information is information such as the connection form (wired, wireless) of the printing device 1 to the network, the IP address of the printing device 1, the subnet mask, and the default gateway in the network to which the printing device 1 is connected.

The second control unit 22 uses the function of the print data creation unit 221 to create print data of default status information in response to a request from the first control unit 21 to send print data of default status information. In this embodiment, information on the network status of the printing device 1 is stored in the memory unit 23. The second control unit 22 then acquires information on the network status of the printing device 1 from the memory unit 23, converts the acquired information into print data used for printing by the print head 12, and transmits the converted data to the first control unit 21.

However, as another example, the creation of the print data may be performed by the first control unit 21, rather than the second control unit 22. In that case, for example, the second control unit 22 may send information before conversion to print data to the first control unit 21, and the first control unit 21 may convert the sent information into print data. The second control unit 22 may also execute part of the process of creating print data for status information, and send the processed data in the middle of being created to the first control unit 21. In that case, the first control unit 21 may execute the remaining process of creating print data and create print data. The first control unit 21 may also create print data for some status information without using the second control unit 22.

The first control unit 21 acquires the print data of the default status information sent from the second control unit 22 and stores it in the print buffer 27. The first control unit 21 causes the medium conveying device 11 to convey the print medium via the conveyance control unit 24 and the motor drive unit 25, while causing the print head 12 to print the default status information stored in the print buffer 27 on the print medium via the print head drive unit 26. The first control unit 21 also causes the print head 12 to print on the print medium one or more selection items that correspond to each of the other printable status information and are used to select the status information to be printed. That is, each of the selection items to be printed is an item that corresponds to each of the status information that is a candidate for the print target. In this embodiment, the first control unit 21 requests the print data of the selection items from the second control unit 22. Then, the second control unit 22 creates print data of the selection items in response to the request and transmits the print data to the first control unit 21. However, the first control unit 21, rather than the second control unit 22, may create the print data of the selection items. FIG. 2 shows a print medium on which default status information and selection items are printed. As shown in FIG. 2, the print medium has network status information printed in area 201 and selection items printed in area 202. In this embodiment, the first control unit 21 prints three selection items corresponding to the three pieces of status information, network diagnostic information, intelligent function information, and Simple AP function information, by numbering them. In this embodiment, the first control unit 21 numbers the three selection items corresponding to the network diagnostic information, intelligent function information, and Simple AP function information, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2, from (1) to (3).

By checking the selection items printed in this way, the user can grasp the printable status information and decide which status information he/she wants to print and which status information he/she does not want to print. The user then specifies the status information he/she wants to print to the printing device 1 by operating the operation switch 31. In this embodiment, the user instructs the printing device 1 to print the status information corresponding to the selection item by repeatedly pressing the operation switch 31 for a period that lasts less than a predetermined first period (e.g., 1 second, 0.8 seconds, etc.) at intervals that are less than a predetermined interval (e.g., 1 second, 0.8 seconds, etc.) a number of times equal to the number assigned to the selection item. For example, the user instructs the printing device 1 to print the intelligent function information on the printing medium by repeatedly pressing the operation switch 31 twice at intervals that are less than the predetermined interval and last for a period that is less than the first period.

The selection receiving unit 213 has a function of receiving at least one selection from among the selection items printed by the function of the print processing unit 212 based on an operation performed on the operation switch 31 .
The first control unit 21 detects a preset operation on the operation switch 31 as an operation to select a selection item by using the function of the selection receiving unit 213. Hereinafter, the preset operation is referred to as a selection operation. In this embodiment, the first control unit 21 detects, as a selection operation, an operation of the operation switch 31 in which the operation switch 31 is pressed at least once or more times at intervals less than the preset interval and for a period less than the first period. Then, the first control unit 21 specifies the number of times the operation switch 31 is pressed continuously in the detected selection operation. The first control unit 21 specifies a selection item that is numbered with the same number of times as the specified number of times among the selection items printed on the print medium. Then, the first control unit 21 determines the status information corresponding to the specified selection item as the status information selected to be printed. Hereinafter, the status information selected to be printed is referred to as selected status information. The selected status information is an example of second status information.

Furthermore, the first control unit 21 detects a preset operation of the operation switch 31 as an operation instructing printing of the selection status information, using the function of the selection reception unit 213. Hereinafter, this preset operation is referred to as a selection status printing operation. In this embodiment, the first control unit 21 detects an operation of the operation switch 31 that continues to be pressed for a period of time equal to or longer than the first period as a selection status printing operation.
In this way, the printer 1 accepts separately the selection of a selection item and an instruction to print the selected status information, so that the user can more easily understand whether the printer 1 is selecting a selection item or issuing an instruction to print the selected status information.

When the first control unit 21 receives an instruction to print the selected status information through the function of the selection receiving unit 213, the first control unit 21 prints the selected status information through the function of the print processing unit 212. More specifically, the first control unit 21 sends a request to send print data of the selected status information to the second control unit 22.

The second control unit 22 uses the function of the print data creation unit 221 to create print data of the selected status information in response to a request from the first control unit 21 to send print data of the selected status information. In this embodiment, when the selected status information is network diagnostic information, the second control unit 22 diagnoses the connection with the default connection destination via the communication I/F 40 and obtains the diagnosis result. Here, diagnosing the connection with the default connection destination means diagnosing whether or not a connection with the default connection destination is possible, and if not, the cause of the connection (e.g., not connected to the network, unable to find the connection destination on the connected network, etc.). The second control unit 22 then creates print data of the network diagnostic information by converting the obtained diagnosis result into print data used for printing by the print head 12.

When the selection status information is intelligent function information, the second control unit 22 diagnoses whether each of the intelligent functions of the printing device 1 is available, and if it is not available, the cause (e.g., not being connected to the network, excessive load of other processes, etc.) and obtains the diagnosis results. The second control unit 22 then creates print data for the intelligent function information by converting the obtained diagnosis results into print data to be used for printing by the print head 12.

Furthermore, when the selection status information is Simple AP function information, the second control unit 22 prepares to accept a wireless connection between the printing device 1 and an external terminal without going through a router. For example, the second control unit 22 releases a port used for connection, and identifies the IP address of the printing device 1 that is the connection destination for the external terminal. The second control unit 22 acquires information used for an external terminal to connect to the printing device 1 (for example, the IP address of the printing device 1, a two-dimensional code used to connect to the printing device 1, etc.). The second control unit 22 then converts the acquired information into print data used for printing by the print head 12, thereby creating print data of the Simple AP function information.
The second control unit 22 transmits print data of the created selection status information to the first control unit 21 .

The first control unit 21, using the function of the print processing unit 212, acquires the print data of the selected status information sent from the second control unit 22 and stores it in the print buffer 27. The first control unit 21 causes the medium transport device 11 to transport the print medium via the transport control unit 24 and motor drive unit 25, while causing the print head 12 to print the default status information stored in the print buffer 27 onto the print medium via the print head drive unit 26. Figure 3 shows a print medium on which the selected status information is printed by the function of the print processing unit 212 when network diagnostic information is selected as the selected status information. Figure 3 shows that the network diagnostic information is printed in area 203 on the print medium following area 202 where the selected items are printed.

With the configuration of this embodiment described above, the printing device 1 causes the printing unit 10 to print network status information, which is default status information, and causes the printing unit 10 to print selection items corresponding to each piece of status information that is a candidate for printing. Then, when the printing device 1 detects at least one selection from the printed selection items, it causes the printing unit 10 to print the status information corresponding to the selected selection item. This allows the printing device 1 to avoid printing unnecessary status information, reducing the user's waiting time until printing of the status information is completed. The printing device 1 can also reduce the amount of printing media that is wasted by printing unnecessary status information.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing device 1 prints the network status information as the default status information without requiring the user to select whether to print it or not. The network status information is more likely to be desired to be viewed by the user than other status information. Therefore, the printing device 1 prints the network status information without requiring the user to select whether to print it or not, thereby reducing the user's effort in making unnecessary selections.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing device 1 accepts the selection of status information to be printed based on the operation of the operation switch 31. Therefore, the user can select the status information to be printed by operating the operation switch 31, which is easier to operate than the rear switch 32 located on the rear surface of the printing device 1, which is harder to check and touch compared to the other surfaces of the printing device 1. In this way, the printing device 1 can improve the convenience of the printing device 1.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first control unit 21 requests print data of the status information from the second control unit 22. Therefore, as the amount of status information to be printed increases, the amount of data exchanged between the first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22 increases, and the time required for communication between the first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22 may increase. By not printing unnecessary status information that was not selected, the printing device 1, in a configuration including the first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22, can reduce the amount of data exchanged between the first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22 and further reduce the user's waiting time.
In this embodiment, before creating print data for each of the network diagnostic information, intelligent function information, and simple AP function information, pre-processing such as diagnosis and preparation is performed. By not printing unnecessary status information, the printing device 1 can prevent the user from having to wait for such pre-processing to be completed.

(2) Status information printing process:
The status information printing process executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. The printer 1 starts the process in Fig. 4 when the power is turned on as a trigger, but the process in Fig. 4 may also be started by other triggers (e.g., when a preset time has arrived).
In S100, the first control unit 21 determines whether or not a print instruction operation to the rear switch 32 has been detected, using the function of the instruction receiving unit 211. If the first control unit 21 determines that a print instruction operation to the rear switch 32 has been detected, using the function of the instruction receiving unit 211, the process proceeds to S105, and if the first control unit 21 determines that a print instruction operation to the rear switch 32 has not been detected, the process of S100 is repeated.

In S105, the first control unit 21, using the function of the print processing unit 212, transmits a request to send print data of network status information, which is default status information, to the second control unit 22. The second control unit 22, using the function of the print data creation unit 221, creates print data of the default status information in response to the request to send print data of the default status information from the first control unit 21, and transmits the created print data to the first control unit 21.
In S110, the first control unit 21, using the function of the print processing unit 212, acquires the print data of the default status information sent from the second control unit 22 and stores it in the print buffer 27. The first control unit 21 causes the medium transport device 11 to transport the print medium via the transport control unit 24 and the motor drive unit 25, while causing the print head 12 to print the default status information stored in the print buffer 27 onto the print medium via the print head drive unit 26.

In S115, the first control unit 21 causes the print head 12 to print selection items corresponding to each of the other printable status information, using the function of the print processing unit 212. In this embodiment, the first control unit 21 causes the print head 12 to print three selection items corresponding to each of the three types of status information, network diagnosis information, intelligent function information, and simple AP function information, numbered (1) to (3).
In S120, the first control unit 21 determines, by the function of the selection receiving unit 213, whether or not a selection operation has been performed on the operation switch 31. If the first control unit 21 determines that a selection operation has been performed on the operation switch 31, the process proceeds to S125, and if the first control unit 21 determines that a selection operation has not been performed on the operation switch 31, the process proceeds to S130.

In S125, the first control unit 21, by using the function of the selection receiving unit 213, identifies the number of consecutive presses of the operation switch 31 in the selection operation determined to have been detected in the immediately preceding S120. The first control unit 21 identifies a selection item that is numbered with the same value as the identified number of times among the selection items printed on the print medium. Then, the first control unit 21 determines the status information corresponding to the identified selection item as the selection status information.
In S130, the first control unit 21, using the function of the selection receiving unit 213, determines whether or not a selection status printing operation has been performed on the operation switch 31. If the first control unit 21 determines that a selection status printing operation has been performed on the operation switch 31, the process proceeds to S135, and if the first control unit 21 determines that a selection status printing operation has not been performed on the operation switch 31, the process proceeds to S120.

In S135, the first control unit 21 transmits a request to transmit the print data of the selection status information to the second control unit 22. The second control unit 22 generates the print data of the selection status information in response to the request to transmit the print data of the selection status information from the first control unit 21 by using the function of the print data generation unit 221, and transmits the generated print data to the first control unit 21.
In S140, the first control unit 21, using the function of the print processing unit 212, acquires the print data of the selection status information sent from the second control unit 22 and stores it in the print buffer 27. The first control unit 21 controls the print head 12 via the print head driving unit 26 to print the selection status information stored in the print buffer 27 onto the print medium, while causing the medium conveying device 11 to convey the print medium via the conveyance control unit 24 and the motor driving unit 25.

(3) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. The method of printing default status information and selection items corresponding to other printable status information in response to a print instruction for status information, accepting the selection of at least one of the printed selection items, and printing the selected status information as in the above embodiment can also be realized as a program invention or a method invention.

In the above embodiment, the print control unit 20 is a two-core system, and has a first control unit 21 and a second control unit 22. The first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22 work together to print the status information. However, the print control unit 20 may be configured as one core with one control unit. In that case, one control unit in the print control unit 20 is configured to have the functions of both the first control unit 21 and the second control unit 22, for example. The print control unit 20 may be configured as three or more cores with three or more control units.

In the above embodiment, the printing device 1 prints the default status information on the printing medium, and then prints the selection items corresponding to each of the other printable status information on the printing medium. However, the order in which the default status information and the selection items are printed is not limited to this order. For example, in the process of FIG. 4, the order of the processes of S110 and S115 may be interchanged. That is, the printing device 1 may print the default status information after printing the selection items on the printing medium.
In the above embodiment, the second control unit 22 performs preprocessing for creating print data for each of the network diagnostic information, the intelligent function information, and the simple AP function information. However, the second control unit 22 may perform preprocessing for creating print data for each of the network diagnostic information, the intelligent function information, and the simple AP function information.

In the above embodiment, the default status information is network status information. However, the default status information may be information different from the network status information, or may be a combination of multiple status information. For example, the default status information may be status information about the roll medium installed in the printing device 1 (e.g., the type of medium, the remaining amount, etc.).
In addition, it is preferable that the default status information has a smaller number of print items, which are items to be printed, compared to other printable status information. The default status information is printed regardless of the user's selection when printing the status information. Therefore, the printing device 1 can suppress an increase in the time required for printing by setting status information with fewer print items than other printable status information as the default status information.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the other printable status information besides the default status information is network diagnostic information, intelligent function information, and Simple AP function information. However, the other printable status information may not include at least some of this information, or may include information different from this information (status information about roll media).

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 starts printing the status information using a print instruction operation on the rear switch 32 as a trigger. However, the printer 1 may start printing the status information using a trigger other than the print instruction operation on the rear switch 32. For example, the printer 1 may start printing the status information using a trigger that the operation switch 31 is pressed for a period of time equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 3 seconds, 5 seconds, etc.) while the cover of the roll medium storage unit in the printer 1 is closed.
In the above embodiment, the operation switch 31 is a feed button. However, the operation switch 31 may be a switch different from the feed button. For example, the operation switch 31 may be a button provided for selecting an option.

In the above embodiment, the printing device 1 prints on the printing medium the selection items corresponding to the printable status information and accepts at least one selection from the printed selection items via the operation switch 31. However, the printing device 1 may print on the printing medium an end selection item that is an item used to select the end of printing the status information in addition to the selection items. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing device 1 may print an "Exit" item numbered (4) as the end selection item in the area 203 immediately below the area 202 in which the selection items (1) to (3) are printed. In this case, the printing device 1 ends printing of the status information when it detects, for example, four consecutive presses of the operation switch 31 similar to the selection operation. As a result, if the printing device 1 does not have the status information desired by the user among the status information corresponding to the printed selection items, it can end printing by the printing device 1 and further conserve roll media.

Furthermore, the printing device 1 may end printing of the status information if no operation of the operation switch 31 is detected within a predetermined period of time (e.g., one minute, two minutes, or three minutes) after printing the default status information and the selection items. Furthermore, the printing device 1 may end printing of the status information if a selection status printing operation is performed on the operation switch 31 after printing the default status information and the selection items, and no selection status information is selected.

In addition, in the above embodiment, after printing the default status information and the selection items, the printing device 1 accepts the selection of the selection items until a selection status printing operation is performed on the operation switch 31. However, for example, there may be cases where the user only wants to check one piece of status information among the status information corresponding to the selection items. In such a case, since the selection operation is performed only once, it may be troublesome for the user to perform the selection status printing operation again after the selection operation. Therefore, after printing the default status information and the selection items, if a selection operation is performed once on the operation switch 31, the printing device 1 may start printing the selection status information determined in response to the selection operation. This allows the printing device 1 to reduce the trouble of unnecessary operations.

In the above embodiment, the printing device 1 prints the default status information and the selection items, and then accepts the selection of the selection items. After accepting the selection of the selection items, the printing device 1 may detect a default operation on the operation switch 31 that instructs resetting the selection of the selection items until a selection status printing operation is performed on the operation switch 31. For example, when the printing device 1 detects a predetermined number of consecutive presses (e.g., 10 times) of the operation switch 31 similar to the selection operation, the printing device 1 may determine that the determined selection status information is not to be the selection status information. This allows the user to select the desired selection item even if the user fails to select a selection item.

In the above embodiment, the selection operation is an operation of the operation switch 31 in which the operation switch 31 is pressed at least once in succession at intervals less than the preset interval and for a period less than the first period. However, the selection operation may be another operation on the operation switch 31, and may be, for example, a press that continues for a period of time corresponding to the numbering of the selection item to be selected and within a preset error (e.g., 0.1 seconds, etc.). The period of time corresponding to the numbering of the selection item to be selected is, for example, 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, etc. for each of the selection items (1) to (3).

In the above embodiment, the selection status printing operation is a press of the operation switch 31 that continues for a period equal to or longer than the first period. However, the selection status printing operation may be another operation, and may be, for example, an operation of the operation switch 31 in which the presses continue for a period equal to or longer than the number of selection items printed, at intervals less than the default interval and that continue for a period equal to or longer than the first period.

The selection item may be any item that indicates what the corresponding status information is. For example, the selection item may be the name of the corresponding status information.

The present invention can also be applied as a program or method executed by a computer. The above-mentioned programs and methods can be realized as a single device or can be realized by using components of multiple devices, and include various aspects. They can also be modified as appropriate, such as being partly software and partly hardware. Furthermore, the invention can also be realized as a program recording medium. Of course, the program recording medium can be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and the same can be considered for any recording medium developed in the future.

1...printing device, 10...printing unit, 11...medium transport device, 111...roller, 112...transport motor, 12...print head, 121...heating element, 20...print control unit, 21...first control unit, 211...instruction reception unit, 212...print processing unit, 213...selection reception unit, 22...second control unit, 221...print data creation unit, 23...storage unit, 24...transport control unit, 25...motor drive unit, 26...print head drive unit, 27...print buffer, 31...operation switch, 32...rear switch, 40...communication I/F

Claims (8)

a printing unit that prints on the printing medium pulled out from the roll medium;
a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print the status information in response to a print instruction for the status information;
The print control unit
causing the printing unit to print first status information among the status information;
causing the printing unit to print at least one selection item corresponding to each of the status information items that are candidates for printing;
when detecting a selection of at least one of the printed selection items, causing the printing unit to print second status information corresponding to the selected selection item;
Printing device. the print control unit causes the print unit to print at least one of the selection items and an end selection item used to select end of printing of the status information, and controls the print unit to end printing when selection of the end selection item is detected.
The printing device of claim 1 . further comprising an input receiving unit for receiving an input from a user,
The print control unit
After causing the printing unit to print the selection items, detecting a selection of the selection items according to a number of inputs to the input receiving unit that continue for a period shorter than a first period;
causing the printing unit to print the second status information corresponding to the selected selection item in response to an input to the input receiving unit that continues for a period equal to or longer than the first period.
3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2. the print control unit includes a first control unit that controls the print unit and a second control unit that communicates with the first control unit;
When the first control unit detects the selection of the selection item, the first control unit transmits a transmission request for information on the second status information corresponding to the selected selection item to the second control unit, and causes the printing unit to print the second status information based on the information transmitted from the second control unit in response to the transmission request.
The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. the number of printing items included in the first status information is less than the number of printing items included in the second status information;
5. A printing device according to claim 1. The at least one selection item is at least one of the selection item corresponding to network diagnostic information, the selection item corresponding to intelligent function information, and the selection item corresponding to Simple AP function information;
6. A printing device according to claim 1. A method for controlling a printing device having a printing unit that prints on a print medium pulled out from a roll medium, comprising:
causing the printing unit to print first status information among the status information in response to a printing instruction for the status information;
causing the printing unit to print at least one selection item corresponding to each of the status information items that are candidates for printing;
when at least one of the printed selection items is selected, causing the printing unit to print second status information corresponding to the selected selection item;
A control method comprising: The at least one selection item is at least one of the selection item corresponding to network diagnostic information, the selection item corresponding to intelligent function information, and the selection item corresponding to Simple AP function information;
The control method according to claim 7.

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